college students should only focus on learning skills that will help them earn money in the future?

Question

agree or disagree

Answer 1

This is a complex question. Ideally, a person's college years are a time for personal exploration by reading and reflecting on great literature. Realistically, college has become quite expensive, and, depending on one's economic circumstances, going to college might involve focusing on getting training that will lead to a good job. A final thought, learning to think critically about problems--which is at the heart of a liberal education--is a valuable asset for anyone. Good luck.

Answer 2

In some cases, absolutely. An example is the technical "colleges" that have existed and are thriving. But this trend is certainly not why people used to go to college.

I just wish they wouldn't call them "colleges" and thus chepen the value of the traditional college degrees. It seems that almost everyone can not only enter many colleges now, but also graduate without knowing much about grammar, spelling, and other basics of communication. It's appalling.

So, why not allow some people who obviously don't have the stuff upstairs to go to a real college to go to a trade school. Just don't call it a college.

A well rounded liberal arts education is not for everyone, and the payoff for is not always found monetarily. I went to one of those liberal arts universities, even as an art major of all things! And as I went through life, I became more and more understanding of the value of that type of education. It paid off in ways that I never imagined, especially when I finally reached middle age, and started trading stocks for a living. My university training prepared me to think, to study more, and to have a better understanding of values.

But not all people can afford or even are interested in this type of life. They just want to get a good job, get married, have kids, and enjoy simple pleasures of life. And that's fine. And there's no need to force "dead poets" upon them.

Answer 3

Disagree. Part of the point of a college education is to become a well-rounded citizen.

Trade/Vocational schools are for the focus you've described.